Benefice of Goring and Streatley with South Stoke : Sunday 25th June 2023

Sunday 25th June Trinity 3

Welcome to our weekly newsletter

As this beautiful pyramidal orchid (and several like it) has sprung up in a garden where we tried “No-Mow May” (or June), so may we try habits which allow space and time to God.
This week one parishioner recommended this app: Lectio 365
https://apps.apple.com/app/id1483974820
How might you try?

The Collect, the prayer for the week
Almighty God,
you have broken the tyranny of sin
and have sent the Spirit of your Son into our hearts
whereby we call you Father:
give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service,
that we and all creation may be brought
to the glorious liberty of the children of God;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Readings for this Sunday: Rom.6: 1b-11, Ps. 69: 8-11, 18-20 & Matt. 10: 24-39.

This Sunday:
8:00am      BCP Holy Communion at St Mary’s
9:30am      Holy Communion at St Thomas’
11:15am    Mattins at St Mary’s
11:15am    Holy Communion at St Andrew’s
12:30pm    Baptism at St Andrew’s
4:30pm   Family meal – please contact Jo for further details

Great Big Green Day
Thank you to everyone who helped and supported this. After early rain while setting up the weather was just right and good crowds came through the morning. There was good thinking, good music, delicious refreshments and bikes repaired and finding new homes. The owls were amazing.
Thank you also to Bryan Almond for his organ recital last Sunday which was very enjoyable and raised £250 for The Climate Coalition.

We thank God for the “Be Space” charity and its help in offering reflection and prayer to all the children of Goring Primary School this week.
Wendy helped plan and oversaw it all. Thank you to all our volunteers.

Prayer Breakfast, Saturday 1st July
Advance notice that our next Benefice prayer breakfast will take place in the Canterbury Room at St Thomas’ from 8:15am.
Join us as we pray for the life of our churches.

Scythe: Does anyone have a scythe they no longer need or are willing to lend? No mow May in the Vicarage garden has presented a challenge for June and the churchyard mowers are willing to try it in areas where there are no stones too. RSVP to Ben

Organ Taster Sessions at St Thomas’
Seven young pianists signed up for the organ taster sessions offered at St Thomas’. The sessions comprised two lessons with local organist, Bryan Almond, and two practice sessions. On Saturday 24th June, there are 3 mini-concerts at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm all in St Thomas'. The two earlier concerts are piano concerts and the 4pm concert is celebrating some of our young organists. Entry is free. The door will be open. If you are walking past, come in and listen for as long as you like!

Goring and Streatley Concert Band, starter band “Summer Sizzler”
The GSCB Starter Band will be holding a very special concert this Sunday at 4pm in Goring Village Hall in memory of their much-loved Chairman and drummer, Bob Edwards. Bob played with the band for most of its fourteen years' existence, and his constant cheeriness and enthusiasm will remain an enduring inspiration. The band wanted to hold an event in honour of his memory and have prepared a programme of our most exuberant, fun and drum-infused favourites which we have informally entitled “Bob’s Greatest Hits”…. Band members past and present will be coming together to say a big “thank you” to Bob in the best way they know how and hope you will be able to join them too.
Tickets (£5 or £1 for U18) are available by clicking here:
Proceeds from this concert will be supporting the St Thomas' Organ Rebuild and Musical Outreach Project as chosen by Bob's family for donations in his memory.

The Big Sing – Saturday 1st July at St Thomas’
We would like to invite you to The Big Sing on Saturday 1st July. This is an event celebrating the life of Michael Howell and giving thanks to God for the completion of the organ rebuild project which Michael was so involved with in the years before he died. Music will include some of Michael’s compositions and arrangements; Hymns including Love Divine and The Day Thou Gavest; and Anthems including Sumsion’s They that go down to the sea in ships, Bainton’s And I saw a new Heaven and Parry’s I was glad.
Timetable for Singers:
The timetable for the day is as follows:
Arrive at 1.45pm ready to be seated for 2pm (prompt) practice.
4pm afternoon tea
5pm Big Sing (1 hour approx.)
To register, please email the benefice office officeofgsandss@yahoo.com as soon as possible. We will then send details of music to print before the day.
The Big Sing Performance:
For those preferring to listen, rather than sing, please turn up for the performance at 5pm.
There are more details on our website which you can find here.

Booklet on the history of the organ and organists at St Thomas'
Celebrating the recent organ rebuild, local historian, Janet Hurst, has written a booklet about the organ and organists at St Thomas' Church.
A fascinating read, the booklets are now on sale for £5 (cash preferred). They will be on sale at St Thomas' after the morning service or by contacting the benefice office 01491 875651 or officeofgsandss@yahoo.com.
As only a limited number of booklets have been printed, you are advised to get your copy sooner rather than later!

Daily Prayer will be taking place as usual. Why not join in one day? We listen to the Bible and pray for our world and church.
Monday: 8.30am Goring,
Tuesday and Thursday: 8.30am Streatley.
Friday: 9am Goring.

We are asked to pray

We give thanks for the Prayer Spaces this week at Goring school.
We give thanks for the Big Green Day and pray for fruitful changes in hearts and lives to care for the one precious world.
For all caught in deep dark places in their lives or the world.
For a fruitful completion of the appointment of an organist and director of music for St Thomas.

Diary for next week:

Wednesday 28th June
10:30am    Little lights at St Mary’s
10:30am    Coffee morning in St Andrews’
10:30am    BCP Holy Communion at St Thomas’
The readings will be Gen. 15. 1-12, 17-18, Ps. 105. 1-9 and Matt. 7. 15-20.

Saturday 1st July
8:15am      Benefice Prayer Breakfast in the Canterbury Room
5:00pm      “The Big Sing” concert in St Thomas’

Sunday 2nd July
8:00am      BCP Holy Communion at St Thomas’
9:30am      Family Service at St Thomas’
11:15am    Holy Communion at St Mary’s
11:15am    Family Service at St Andrew’s
4:00pm      Evensong at St Thomas’

Daily readings for the week beginning 26th June

Monday am:	Ps 71	Ezra ch. 7	Rom. 11. 25-end	pm: Ps 72	Luke 15. 1-10
Tuesday am:	Ps 73	Ezra 8. 15-end	Rom. 12. 1-8	pm: Ps 74	Luke 15. 11-end
Wednesday am:	Ps 77	Ezra ch. 9	Rom. 12. 9-end	pm: Ps 119. 81-104	Luke 16. 1-18
Thursday am:	Ps 71	Isa. 49. 1-6	Acts 11. 1-18	pm: Ps 124	John 21. 15-22
Friday am:	Ps 55	Neh. ch. 1	Rom. 13. 8-end	pm: Ps 69	Luke 17. 1-10
Saturday am:	Ps 76	Neh. ch. 2	Rom. 14. 1-12	pm: Ps 84	Matt. 17. 11-19

Please send any notices or articles for the next news sheet by noon on Thursdays to vicarofgsandss@yahoo.com.

The Benefice of Goring and Streatley with South Stoke

The Vicarage

Manor Road

Goring, Berkshire RG8 9DR

United Kingdom